Contents:HEALTH IN OUR HANDS
The Arkansas State University Wellness Newsletter
www.clt.astate.edu/wellness
Behavioral
and Mental Health
Depression
-
Causes
-
Treatment
Teen Suicide
- Facts about Suicide
- Warning Signs
- Suicide Prevention
Tips
for Good Mental Health
Newsletter
Sources
University
News
This month’s Health in Our Hands newsletter will address selected behavioral and mental health problems. The issue begins with a discussion about depression and the treatment options available. It will also focus on suicide with an emphasis on teen suicide. This newsletter provides some facts about suicide as well as listing warning signs and prevention techniques.
The National Institute of Mental
Health estimates that seventeen million American adults suffer from depression
in any one-year period. Depression is a real disease that is easily
misunderstood. With proper treatments, depressed individuals can
lead productive and happy lives.
Depression is different from
occasionally being sad. Feelings of grief or sadness over major life
changes or experiences are natural and will usually lessen over time.
If these feelings of sadness persist longer than two
weeks or if they interfere with activities of daily living, there may be
cause to seek treatment for possible depression. Depressed individuals
may feel helpless, hopeless, overwhelmed, or exhausted. They may
isolate themselves from friends and family as well as withdraw from routine
activities. People who are depressed may also contemplate suicide.
Researchers do not know exactly what causes depression. Depression may be caused by changes in body chemistry that influence human moods and thought processes. Biological factors and neurotransmitters may also play a role in the cause of depression. Other researchers believe that certain mental and emotional aspects of a person’s life may change and cause depression.
Depression is a highly treatable disease when proper care is received. Almost ninety percent of people suffering from depression will respond positively to medication. Antidepressants are commonly prescribed. Some common antidepressants are Prozac and Valium. People who suffer from depression are also advised to seek counseling from a licensed mental health professional such as a psychologist or a psychiatrist. These individuals are educated to help people recover from depression. They can also work with families and recommend proper support groups to assist with recovery.
Teen suicide has become an epidemic in society today. In a recent study of high school students, sixty percent said they had considered suicide at least once. Nine percent of these students admitted to trying suicide at least once. Every year, approximately 500,000 people aged 15 to 25 try to kill themselves. Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for all persons regardless of age, sex, or race. It is the third leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15-24 years, and it ranks as the fourth leading cause of death for people aged 10-14 years. It is extremely important to notice the warning signs of suicide and seek help immediately.
* Girls attempt suicide more often, but more boys actually
commit suicide.
* Boys usually use firearms for a suicide attempt, while
girls usually use pills.
* Eighty percent of people who attempt suicide
will try to kill themselves again.
* Eight out of ten people who commit suicide give some
clues to others that
they wanted to kill themselves.
* In the United States, more people kill themselves than
are killed by other people.
* Clusters of teenage suicides are becoming more common.
One suicide triggers many others in the same area.
* Hispanic students are significantly more likely than
white students to have attempted suicide.
* White students are significantly more likely than black
students to have thought seriously about attempting suicide.
** Change in eating and sleeping habits
** Withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities
** Violent actions or uncharacteristic behavior
** Drug or alcohol abuse
** Drastic change or neglect in personal appearance
** Personality change
** Decline in quality of schoolwork
** Loss of interest in favorite activities
** Frequent complaints about physical symptoms
** Sudden cheerfulness after a period of depression
** Verbal hints such as “Nothing matters anymore,” or
“I won’t be a problem for you much longer.”
Suicide is preventable, but it
is very important not to ignore the signs or pretend that it cannot happen
to your family. If you notice these warning signs, take steps to
prevent suicide immediately. Some ways to prevent suicide include:
1) Ask your teenager about suicide. Do not be afraid
to say the word. It is important to get these feelings out into the
open.
2) Reassure your teenager that they are loved.
Offer your help in solving his or her problems.
3) Ask your teenager to talk about his or her feelings.
Listen carefully and do not dismiss their problems.
4) Remove all lethal weapons from your home including
guns, ropes, pills, or knives.
5) Seek professional help for your teenager. A
variety of outpatient and hospital-based treatment programs are available.
Suicide does not only affect
teenagers. People of any age may commit suicide, and it is important
to notice these warning signs in adults and children as well as teenagers.
There are several hotlines that offer help for
suicidal teens and adults. The Light for Life Foundation International
sponsors a toll-free suicide hotline. They can be reached at 1-800-SUICIDE
(1-800-784-2433). In Arkansas, there is a Teen Crisis hotline that
can be reached at 1-800-798-8336. Parents in Arkansas can also call
1-877-362-8727 for advice in helping their teenager.
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Tips for Good Mental Health
The American Psychological Association
recommends several hints for maintaining good mental health.
* It is very important to take care of yourself.
Do not get caught up in taking care of everyone else and neglect yourself.
* Take time to relax. Participate in a hobby or
other activity you enjoy.
* Talk about your problems or feelings. If you
do not feel comfortable discussing these feelings, write in a journal.
* Try not to overreact. Everyone has bad days,
and they should not be considered major life catastrophes. Try not
to let the little things upset you.
* Enjoy life! Do things you enjoy and spend time with
loved ones.
Sources
for this newsletter include:
American Academy of Pediatrics
(http://www.aap.org/)
American Psychological Association
(http://www.apa.org/)
Light for Life Foundation International
(http://www.yellowribbon.org/)
* The 4th annual Ladies’ Night Out Seminar will be Tuesday, November 6 at the ASU Convocation Center, lower red entrance, from 5:45-8:30. Dinner will be provided. Featured speakers include: Dr. Beata Majewski - Rheumatology, Dr. Charles Barker - OB/Gynecology, and Dr. Kenneth Chan - Neurology. Topics will include fibromyalgia, menopause, and migraines. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 1-800-722-6686.
* Flu shots will be available November 8th at the Wilson Student Health Center. For more information, contact extension 2054.
* The Wilson Student Health Center will be sponsoring the St. Bernard’s Regional Medical Center Mammography Mobile unit again this year. The mobile unit will be on campus October 23. This program will be open for students, staff, and faculty. If you want to participate, you must sign up for a class on Self Breast Exams. These classes will be held October 11 and 17. Classes last one hour, and they are offered from 8a.m. to 12 noon. For more information, contact Marcia Morgan at extension 2054 or email her at mmorgan@astate.edu.
-ooOoo-
The Arkansas State University
Employee Wellness Newsletter is published monthly during the academic year
by the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Health questions
can be addressed to Dean Susan Hanrahan, Ph. D., ext. 3112 or hanrahan@mail.astate.edu.
Produced by Kimberly McGaughey, graduate student in the College
of Nursing and Health Professions, Physical Therapy Program.